Having a baby changes your life in the most unexpected of ways, including how you do your laundry. Not only does your newborn have a LOT of clothes that need to be washed (spoiler alert: the washing machine will quickly become your new BFF), you’ll also want to use the best detergent and softener to protect their delicate skin.
The good news is you don’t need to tackle the ever-growing laundry pile on your own. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to washing baby clothes, answering some of the most-asked questions by new parents.
From what temperature should you wash baby clothes at and whether you should use fabric softener through to how to tackle stubborn stains (including explosive poonamis!), this is your laundry 101.
And if that wasn’t enough, our Netmums community has also shared the laundry hacks that really work.
How to wash your baby’s clothes
It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3!
- Get your baby’s clothes ready. Sort the lights from the darks, so you can wash them separately to keep your baby’s whites sparkling. Also separate out any cloth nappies, or clothes that have been in contact with poo or sick, so you can wash them at a higher temperature. Finally, split out anything with a ‘flame resistant’ label, so you can wash it without fabric softener. It’s well worth investing in a mesh bag to keep little socks and mittens together, too!
- Choose a detergent. We love Fairy Non Bio PODS®; so simple to just pop in the wash with no measuring!
- Get your wash on. For the best clean, always follow the instructions on the fabric care label of the clothes, plus the tips on the detergent. A warm wash is usually enough for a regular clean (more on this below). Dry in the sun for brilliant whites, or in a tumble drier; whatever’s easiest!
Should you wash baby clothes before use?
Here’s a quick fact: your newborn’s skin is an incredible 50% thinner than yours. With such delicate skin to protect, it’s important to make sure everything your baby wears is as soft and clean as possible.
That’s why you should wash all your baby’s clothes before they wear them. Even if they are brand new, they could have dust or tiny particles of dirt on them that could irritate your newborn’s skin.
Wondering how long you need to wash baby clothes for? Simply follow the instructions on the care label and use a gentle non bio detergent like Fairy Non Bio PODS® to get the clothes baby-ready.
What’s the best detergent for washing baby clothes?
You want your family’s laundry to be as quick and easy as possible. So you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need specialist products to wash your newborn’s clothes. Simply choose a non bio detergent and softener that is gentle on sensitive skin like Fairy’s Sensitive Skin Dream Team: Fairy Non Bio PODS®, Fairy In-Wash Scent Booster and Fairy Fabric Softener.
Fairy Non Bio has been voted the number one laundry brand for sensitive skin* and the Pods give your baby’s clothes a gentle clean. The clever multi-compartment Pods contain gentle ingredients and mild perfume. Simply pop one in your washing machine drum before loading the clothes on top.
To give you added peace of mind, the Fairy Non Bio range has been awarded the Skin Health Alliance seal of approval, making it ideal for the most delicate of skin.
*Online panel of 7,413 adults among which Fairy Non Bio laundry products were voted most often as the #1 laundry brand for sensitive skin.
What is the best washing powder for babies?
Prefer using washing powder to gels and liquids? Add a scoop of Fairy Non Bio Washing Powder to your washing machine drawer for a gentle clean.
It works even at 30 degrees and is ideal for the most sensitive of skin.
What temperature should you wash baby clothes at?
You don’t need to wash your baby’s clothes at really high temperatures. A 30 degree or 40 degree cycle is just fine, and with the right detergent will get your little one’s clothes clean. Psst – Fairy Non Bio delivers a brilliant clean even in a cold wash!
However if their outfits have poo or baby sick on them, the NHS recommends removing the mess and flushing it down the loo before washing the clothes at 60 degrees. You should also wash reusable nappies at this higher temperature too.
Should you use fabric softener on baby clothes?
You spend a lot of time cuddling your baby. So for extra snuggly softness, why not add a slosh of fabric softener to your family wash.
Read the care labels on the clothes first though. Some baby clothes are treated with flame-resistant chemicals to keep your little one safe. Fabric softener can make this less effective, so always check before you add any to your wash.
How can you remove stubborn stains?
For such a tiny person, your baby creates a lot of mess. From leaking nappies to baby weaning (two words: carrot puree), you’ll be faced with different spills as they grow.
Fairy is your one-stop laundry solution and works even at 30 degrees. Got babygrows or teeny-tiny outfits with super stubborn stains? Then pop a Fairy Platinum POD in your machine for even more softness** and extra stain removal.***
Alternatively, use Fairy Non Bio Stain Remover Powder before washing your baby’s clothes as normal. Easy peasy.
**Fairy PODS® vs other Fairy laundry forms
*** Fairy Platinum PODS® vs Fairy PODS®
Should you wash baby clothes separately?
It can be tempting to throw all your washing into one load, especially when you have a million other jobs to do.
But while you can wash your family’s clothes together, it’s important to separate out any underwear, towels or bedding. These can all carry germs and need to be washed at a higher temperature of 60 degrees.
To keep your babygrows bright, you’ll also need to separate your lights and darks before popping in the washing machine.
Is it better to tumble dry or air dry your baby’s clothes?
It’s entirely up to you. You’ll use less energy if you air dry your laundry, which means you’ll also save money. (And we ALL love money-saving hacks.)
But if you need dry clothes, fast, even popping your baby’s outfits in the tumble dryer for a short amount of time can be a huge help. Always check the care label on the clothes first to make sure they won’t shrink.
Washing baby clothes: the laundry hacks you NEED to know
If you’re looking for tips from parents just like you then you’re in luck. We’ve scoured our Netmums forum for the best advice and shortcuts from mums and dads to make your family laundry a breeze.
Start your washing BEFORE you have your baby
‘I started washing my baby’s clothes yesterday! I’m 35+3. I wanted to do it weeks ago but the hubby pointed out I would want to do it again closer to time so I did them on the first day of maternity leave!! It was lovely to see them hanging on the line in the sunshine.’
Don’t skip washes
‘I didn’t wash my new baby’s clothes and she had a rash all over her chest. The midwife pointed out that the rash followed the shape of her vest and said it was from not washing new clothes. I now wash the new clothes and Anna hasn’t had a rash since.’
Tumble dry for 15 minutes
‘I found putting the clothes through the tumble dryer after washing, even if just for 15 minutes, really softens them up. In fact I would highly recommend you do this for your muslins as even after washing they can still be a bit rough.’
Pick your laundry time (and forget about ironing!)
‘I pop a load of laundry on before bed so it’s finished when I get up and I have time to pop a second on before I head to work. I love ironing but it was abandoned when I gave birth.’
Looking for more top laundry tips? Check out our articles below, or swap ideas with other parents in our Forum.
And head to our Laundry Room hub for more expert tips for washing your family’s clothes.
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